Muscle cramping symptoms and conditions

Am I the only one who has gained a lot of weight while on Lisinopril? I have gained over 40lbs in 3 years. I have also experienced odd muscle cramping and have never made a connection to this and Lisinopril. The pain in my ear, side of my head, and my jaw was unbelievable. ENT dr thought it was TMJ or nerve damage. He was not able to really pin down the exact cause. One month later I was bed ridden with severe back pain, which I have never had before. MRI showed nothing. Headaches are daily, cough, leg cramps, chest pain, decreased sex drive, and definitely have feelings of depression. I have never made the connection between the changes in my personality, health, and lifestyle to this medicine; but now I have. I will be immediately contacting my doctor to discuss alternatives. My BP when I started was 150/90 and now is 112/70. Please let me know if anyone has also had the weight gain like I have experienced. I know I am going to have to have hard facts to show to my doctor. Thank you.

I started taking Yasmin on Monday April 21st, and by Wednesday morning I wanted off of it. I started getting really bad leg cramps all the time, I feel dizzy all the time, I have trouble concentrating, and I have trouble breathing. The worst part is that I have heart palpitations now. My heart feels all butterfly-like or it feels like it's beating really slowly really hard. I just spoke with my doctor, and she says to stop taking it immediately.

After reading this website I see I'm not the only one affected by horrible side-effects from Yasmin.

I went on Prednisone for only 3 days as treatment to a bad allergic reaction to antibiotics. I ended up in the ER for treatment of the allergic reaction and they gave me a pred IV. They put me on 80 mg tablets, which I was supposed to take for 5 days, but there was no tapering off called for by the doc. I only took it for 3 days and started bad abdominal cramps and a bad taste in my mouth. Everything tasted extremely salty--and still does almost a week later. After I was off the drug for a day or two I started bad cramping in my chest, trouble breathing even though they said my lungs were clear, and really bad anxiety, which I've never had before. I freaked out while I was driving and had to pull into a parking lot for over an hour, and still had bad anxiety trying to drive home. I felt like I was drowning and had labored breathing. It's been almost a week and I still have muscle cramping in my chest, but it's starting to subside if I stay calm. I now have headaches and am weak generally, but am starting to come out of it, I think. I don't think the docs wanted to admit that lot of this was due to the pred; it is a serious drug that should not be taken lightly. I never knew there could be such extreme side effects to a drug. I am sorry to hear that many of you have had similar experiences, but it does give me some comfort to know that these effects were real and not due to some psychosomatic problem.

I am a 45 year old female & am on the Toprol-XL 50 mg & take 1 twice a day...I have noticed I have blurred vision & problems with my eyes & also suffer with my legs hurting a lot & also have joint stiffness & cramps in my feet & legs & have trouble sleeping & some memory problems at times along with feeling tired all the time & some depression & shortness of breath & no matter how little I eat I seem to put on weight & look & feel bloated...don't know if it's the Toprol-XL or not but have only had these problems since I been on that & Crestor.

Similar to P.O.W. interrogation. Great torture. After two months, my muscles were in a perpetual state of motion. Starting with but not limited to my calves, my muscles would turn into tight knots anywhere, anytime, for no apparent reason. Constant pain and muscle cramping, exhausted, vomiting, losing weight. Sent to multiple specialists before my 6 month asthma recheck. Diagnoses ranged from viral syndrome to fibromyalgia. One quack actually told me that my job(E.M.T.) was too stressfull for my age(34) and that I should change careers. Symptoms started to resolve about 2 weeks after stopping the Advair, completely resolved after 2 months, One year for the muscle/tendon damage to heal, psychological damage still uncertain.

hello everyone
i am a full time college student and I believe that i have some side effects from synthroid. As i was reading everyones blog i notice that some people feel the same way that i do. At times i feel that i'm normal but if something upsetting happens i get really tired, depress, and I have a never time concentrating at school and home. My body hurts all the time. especially my joints and i feel that i don't want to do anything. I have about a year left until i graduate and its the going to be hard. I cry sometimes for no reason. help! i'm going to talk to my doctor but if any body else feels the same way please reply.

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for pneumonia. The first 2 days I felt ok, then the 3rd day about an hour or two after I took the pill I was getting really anxious and depressed. I was acutally having thought of suicide! The anxiousness and depression lasted for about 4 to 5 hours after the start of them. Also on the third day, I was experiencing my heart pounding and some muscle cramping. The 4th day the symptoms started getting a little worse. And so today, being the 5th day of my 5 day treatment I feel like a truck hit me. I called my Dr. and he told me not to take todays dose, that Levaquin is probably causing the symptoms that I'm having. As I type this I've had to stop numerous times because of my fingers and hands cramping. Also I dont think I've ever sweat this much in my life. I probably would have never called my doctor about my symptoms if I didnt stumble across this page.

Thank you Ladies! I was up in the middle of the night last night researching YAZ because I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I woke up shaky, heart racing, sweating. It just wouldn't go away. Almost got my daughter and husband up to take me to ER. Then I read all the entries in this blog and was convinced it was the BCP. I got into see a doc in the am. She wasn't my normal doctor, so all I wanted was an overall check. She did EKG, blood and just an overall check -Normal. However, I did have a high pulse. That fluctuates throughout the day anyway, but again it was fast even at rest into the next day. I asked her if YAZ was the cause for this and she said probably not because I was only on it for 1 week. I had switched from being on OrthoTriCyclen. I switched because of depression, long periods, bloating, cramping... I might as well had been on no BCP than OTC. The strange thing was I had been on OTC for 5 years prior to having my first child (3 years ago) and loved it! Which makes me think your body chemistry is always changing. Anyway, my first week on Yaz was MISERABLE! I had constipation, dry mouth, exessive urnation, deydrated eventhough drinking 8 glasses of H2O a day, shaky muscles, muscle fatigue, muscle cramping, low libido, sweating, hot at night, loss of appetite, feeling cloudy in the head- like I hadn't slept for a couple of days, but not tired and then finally the heart issue. I went off of it and I slept like a champ last night. I think I still must have some residual hormones in my body but am convinced it will go away in the next week or so. I wanted to mention at the doc's office when I asked her about the potassium increase that could happen with YAZ, she had no idea that was a side effect. So, she wanted to find out more and had a little book, like a mini phone book, full of all the drugs and their side effects. She got to the page and was astounded by the number of side effects for a BCP. It took up a whole page of the book. She told me she had not seen so many side effects for a BCP ever! I got my potassium checked and it turned out fine. But, if you do have muscle issues go get that checked, b/c potassium is a big component to muscle health. What is odd is sister is on YASMIN and loves it! as well as many of her friends. She told me I would have really sore breasts the first couple of months, but that was about it.

My sister in law has been taking topamax for at least two years now for migraines, I think 50mg a day. She has developed serious issues, which she nor her doctors believe is from the drug. She has back pain, moodiness, sleeplessness, extreme muscle cramping. Most recently, her legs have become extremely swollen, larger than any pregnant woman I have ever seen. The skin on her feet is breaking open and peeling. The doctors can't find the cause, but I think it is the topamax. Has anyone else had this swelling?

MT SIDE EFFECT THAT i HAVE , SINCE I HAVE HYPOTHROIDISM HAVE BEEN UP AND DOWN LIKE A ROLLER COASTER. i CAN TELL ALL THE TIME WHEN MY LEVELS ARE OFF. WHEN THEY ARE TOO HIGH OF TOO MUCH THYROID MEDICATION IN MY SYSTEM, I FEEL VERY NERVOUS, IRRITABLE. SHAKEY FEELING INSIDE LKE I CANNOT CALM DOWN IN SIDE. MUSCLE CRAMPING, AND BAD HEADACHE. WHEN MY LEVELS ARELOW , I AMY VEY TIRED AL DAY LONG AND JUST WANT TO SLEEP. i ALSO GET A VERY DEPRESSED FEELING AND WANT TO CRY ALOT, BECAUSE I DONT FEEL RIGHT. WHEN THE LEVELS ARE REALLY LOW I GET DIZZY, AND WHEN i TRY TO DRIVE MY CAR I CAN NOT CONCINTRATE VERY WELL AND i FEEL LIKE I AM DRUNK.. THE FEELING IS AWFUL, AND MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM NOT IN TOUCH WITH REALITY.

I have been on the ring for almost three months, and def notice some side effects. Besides feeling way more sensitive and moody (aka psycho) I get severe muscle cramping in my feet and calves, once even in my chest. They feel like charlie horses. I am assuming this is related to the ring, considering it has never happened before. As well, I get a yeast infection and irritation the 3rd week. Also slight weight gain (@ 5 pounds) but I can work with that. I really have moments where I feel crazy and depressed- but I do not want to get pregnant, so...
Does anyone else have these cramping issues? Do you know of any supplements to relieve it?

I have been on zocor for 7 weeks and almost immediately upon taking have experienced leg cramping. When I saw dr. about 4 weeks after starting zocor I told him that 2 hrs. after taking med's I have muscle cramping. He disregarded my concern. Since then, I have experienced more severe pains in my legs, shoulder tightness , back of neck spasms. This morning spasm were severe in neck, feet, calfs plus blurred vision. I am in route to the dr. to tell him that I am discontinuing this medication.

I also am having trouble sleeping. It takes xanax or melatonin or both, to help me to unwind. Yikes.

I will be taking Advair for 4 years this March. The Dr. warned me that thrush and suppressed immune system were side effects. Are others not being told this? I rinse or brush my teeth after each dose. This is very important. I do have muscle cramping from time to time, so I eat potassium rich foods. Lately I have been having chest pain so I am concerned. Checking this out. This may be due to adding Singulair recently. Prior to Advair I could not get my asthma under control. Recently I went off of the Advair and the asthma was much worse. So..the side effects are not good but the asthma w/no Advair is bad also. Not sure what the answer is.

I started taking maxide with atelolol (later) have been taking since 1988, have not had any side effects. It works well. Lots of urine making. You people need a shrink, you must all be hypochondriacs! If you think something is wrong ASK YOUR DOCTOR!!! For Gods sake why take it for years and think it is hurting you. If my urine was blue or green I would admit my self to the phyc ward. And the muscle cramping. Well, ya know if you are producing a lot of urine, you are also loosing some potassium and you betcha' your legs and feet will cramp. And if you have nothing better to do take a spelling course.

After using maxide for about a week I experienced uncollable urination and diareha like experiences along with extreeme weakness. There was also a loss of appetite and bizarre dreams. There was some muscle cramping. I ceased taking it and felt an immediate relief.

Been on Lipitor for 3-4 years plus Zetia. Periods of leg and hand muscle cramping have become more frequent and more severe. Got so bad yesterday I couldn't take any more. Left Lipitor and reverted to Zocor. Still plan on taking Zetia. Don't know if this is a good idea or not. Please, SOMEONE, let me know! Thanks!

I've been on Prednisone since February of this year. I started at 60mg/day and am currently weaing from 40mg/day to 20mg/day. For awhile I thought I was losing my mind. First I will say I am on this medication after being diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. The Prednisone has decreased the number and size of granulomas in my lungs making breathing a lot easier and has also gotten rid of most of the chronic pain I was in. I used to wake up barely able to drag myself out of bed. Here is a list of my side effects: increased appetite, indigestion, nervousness/restlessness, dizziness, flushing of facial and neck skin, burping, SWEATING, mental confusion - inability to think clearly, memory loss, tinnitus, irritability, mood swings, muscle cramping in legs and arms/fingers, weight gain, sodium/fluid retention, increased hair growth on facial areas. I had daily headaches for awhile but those seem to have dissapated to infrequent headaches. I'm grateful for this drug for what it's done for me but the side effects are making me feel I'm going insane.

Has anyone had problems with severe muscle cramping. I have been waking up through the night with severe cramps or spasms in my legs and feet. It goes from the calves of my legs to my toes, my feet curl and I can hardly put my foot down. It is very painful. I'm not sure if this is realted to Aciphex or not.

NEGATIVE:
Lisinopril is my "only" medication, other than a random ibuprofin. at age 58, I began on 20 mg for elevated BP control...that was almost five years ago.

I went through some light headedness at first (mostly my imagination, I suppose) as, "anything" new psychologically messes with me. My BP "did" drop to acceptable quickly, and just a year ago required a jump up to 30 mg (as I either became system-tolerant of its effects, or, my current level of inactivity has impacted my BP).

REVIEW:
Although I had the normal "minor arthritis" and a few gout toe attacks beforehand; After 8 months or so of Lisinopril application, I began to "really" have chronic joint pains (thumb, elbow, knee, big toe). As an active type, this began to slow me down-so I returned to the doctor for a comprehensive set of X rays-which supposedly revealed Impact Osteo-arthritis at the afflicted joints,... at that point, I also mentioned two other observations;
One, I just feel sort of weak, like possibly tired and unrested muscle-wise, Two, My random gouty big toe attack appeared like it was trying to manifest ...but, never did (fully) on six or so occaisions.

After almost two years into my Lisinopril, I began having cramps (actually, severe soreness and tightening)in my foot bottom and calf muscles... I assumed it was from lifting, and standing a lot. My muscle fatigue seemed worsened, and, I noticed a "visual" loss in my muscle size and tone...I "was" now much weaker than last year in my lifting, tugging, and shouldering abilities.
This accompanied with the constant joint stiffness had begun to physically modify my daily abilities and routines.

After two years on the Lisinopril, Unexpectedly (and in a physically quiet week) I had an episode of right knee pain and excruciating (very severe) 24 hour-a-day ankle/calf/thigh muscle cramping that went unabated for three horrible days...exhausted from no sleep, the inability to relax at all, after trying ice, heat, hydr-therapy and popping so many Ibuprofins, it was off to the hospital.

Some knee cap injections of steroids-a calcinated meniscus diagnosis-and a dismissal of "why the muscle cramps ?" and I was healed, Sorta'

With my continuing decline in joint movement, and sore, weak muscles, my overall activity level dropped, my inabilities to now lift, or bend fluidly caused me to appear much older (physically) and hobbled than my years.

A year ago (just before the increase in dosage), I took some time off. And really self-reviewed my present physical condition with that of 4 years earlier. The "only" change was adding Lisinopril...and of course, normal aging.

My annual lab tests are still enviable.
My genetics and family history refute what is happening.
My sexual and physical prowess has diminished greatly.
My energy level and stamina is very poor.
My whole life-style has been modified (destroyed actually),
to accomodate this new dynamic of muscle/joint problems.
My musculature appearances have diminished from inactivity.
I feel, move, look and hurt "old".
My insistance that this problem is muscle/tendon rather than joint related ALWAYS goes to deaf ears.

Before these complaints could even be filed with my doctor (for my fourth-year annual physical), I began the left knee, then the "both" knee flare ups again; the Doctor visit (and 10 mg increase in dosage of Lisinopril) advised me I was just getting old.

In the 6 months or so since my last doctor visit, I have experienced a worsening of strength, and a now "constant" knee pain (every step). My sixty day abstinence from alcohol had zero impact on my overall, the one year salt ban has shown me nothing, and I just recently went back to square one and a full rethink of my dilemma.... I came away suspecting my Lisinopril.

I am going to seek another Doctor for a review and perhaps a change from Lisinopril.

I'm a 46 year old male. I started 10 years ago with Lipitor 5mg, after one year increased to 10mg, insurance company made me switch to Zocor 10mg. After switching with another ins company had to go back to Lipitor 10mg, had to switch again to Zocor 20mg, then my doctor took it to 40mg along with 1,000mg of niacin. Switch again to Lipitor and back to Zocor, all this transpired within a 10 year period. I have always been extremely active and very muscular. One day I noticed twitching in the upper part of both arms. When I visited my doctor, his first words where stop the Lipitor now. Within the next three months I had extreme body tremors, full body muscle cramping, extreme night sweating (would soak the sheets) and had a vibrating (it was like a humming sensation) sensation in my whole body 24/7. It's been two years now since I stopped taking this poison and I now suffer with a great deal of muscle loss in my hands, forearm, upper shoulders, butt area and feet. I have difficulties with balance, holding my bladder when I feel the urge to urinate, severe pain, difficulty lifting my arms to my head and difficulty with my speech. The sweating and vibrating feeling has gone now however my quality of life is not anything to talk about. If I new then what I know now about this statin drug I would have never takin it. If any one knows of any ways too reverse these side effects, please e-mail me at ******

I have been taking Lisinopril for about 3 weeks, i notiiced occasional coughing and tickling in my throat that would occur throughout the day, along with this i have began to experience fatigue and lack of energy. recently i have experienced muscle cramping in the calf of my leg. I have a follow up in a few weeks, i will let the doctor know at that time.

Hi dianamal!

The best advise anyone can give you is:

Get off Yasmin immediately!!

I wish anyone of those doctor's would have put 2 and 2 together and recoginzed that early, what was wrong with me!! I think your doc is absolutely right with his opinion!!

As I know now, Yasmin is causing a very heavy loss of minerals and vitamines in your body (well, every bcp does but Yasmin in a very special and heavy way, because of the diuretic "spironolactone" in it!!!), which doesn't show symptoms at once, but very slightly more and more over months and years!!

In my case everyhing began after being about 2 - 3 years on Yasmin! I suddenly became terribly tired, the way, where I thought I would fall down to the floor and fall asleep immediately, I got muscle cramps, muscle hurting, dizzyness and many more symptoms. But NO ONE thought about that wonder pill Yasmin!!! I had thousands of tests done but none of them brought out, what really was causing me such heavy health problems!! They thought it was just an unspecific virus and I had to wait and see, if it would get better as months go on.

And so I went on an on without knowing, what my body already was going through. I just thought, I HAD somehow to get through and go on, but never felt really healthy again!!

Then after about 4 - 5 years on Yasmin (during 2004) everything got worse and worse... Within one year I became weaker and weaker, always very tired, the dizzyspells got almost unbearable, I was very often nauseous without any reason, etc. Then after a heavy cold (I was ill for about 3 weeks and had sweated profusely during that time.... and without knowing that therefore I lost another amount of minerals and vitamines...).

Another 3 horrible months later (I got weaker and weaker month by month!!) I broke down completely with anxiety attacks, heart racing, hurting muscles, muscle cramping, muscle weakness, dizzyspells, fainting spells, and many many more in December 2004. I thought I was about to die.... And no one was able to find out, what was wrong with me!! Until I finally came to an endocrinologist, who admitted, that such heavy symptoms COULD be caused by a bcp and I just had to try and get off it immediately.

And you know what? Bingo!

Now 1 year later I'm feeling so much better. It was a very slow process and a very hard way getting here, I just felt better month per month very slowly with many setbacks and am still not back to 100% but I'm able again to do whatever I want without breaking down completely. And it all got that bad because I didn't know for so long, what Yasmin was already doing to my body and I went on taking that sh.... every evening...

So I just can beg you: GET OFF THAT YASMIN STUFF IMMEDIATELY!!! You got the chance to prevent that my and the story of many other women here will happen to you!!

I don't want to frighten you, but prevent you from experiencing the same hell that many of us did!!!

All the best!!

Silke

Has anyone noticed extreme muscle weakness or muscle cramping on lisinopril?

I had HBP of 200 / 114 when discovered - very high, along with chest pain. On Lisinopril for 5 years, 10 mg. daily. After 3 years I started to experience muscle cramping in legs and arms, and after 2 years the symptoms were extremely debilitating. I went off Lisinopril as it was the only medication I was taking, other than occasional aspirin. About 3 weeks after stopping Lisinopril the cramping is nearly gone.

I also did experience sleep disruption and the extra mucus production people have mentioned here.

Wondering if anyone else experienced extreme muscle weakness, muscle cramping, and joint pain, as well, on this drug?

Thanks for any info!

Grateful to find this page! I'm having the strange experience of muscle cramping after 3 months on Yasmin. The first month I spotted every day (but assured this passes and it has the past two months) and nothing else. Towards the end of the second I had finger and toe cramps (you know, where they pull together). This month I'm having leg cramps as well - especially when I stretch, the calves, feet or thighs tighten up. Painful! I'm not sure what to do. Mentally I'm feeling stable - sleeping well, no anxiety - but I'm so glad I've read this is something which might occur after I quit taking them!

I started taking Wellbutrin in October 2004 to quit smoking. Started at 150mg and moved up to 300 mg. Within two weeks of taking the higher dose I experienced dizziness, nausea, vertigo, tremors, muscle cramping, panic attacks, heart palpitations, concentration problems, decreased appetite, hypersensitivity to motion, smells and sounds, crying spells and feelings of impending doom. I went to the emergency room on three different occasions because I felt like I was having a heart attack (tightness in chest, racing heart, nausea, trouble breathing) and was told I had nothing wrong. I also had thoughts of suicide because I felt so bad I wanted to make it stop. I went back to my doctor and requested he taper me off due to the side effects. He did and after a month I still had the symptoms. I missed a month of work and had to stay with family because I couldn't take care of myself or my 3 year old and my husband didn't know what else to do. I finally went back to the doctor and begged for relief. I also requested he run tests to check for other causes. He did blood work and 12 lead heart monitor and found I had slight tachycardia (palpitations), but said I was healthy. He diagnosed me with having General Anxiety Disorder and put me on Paxil. I've been on Paxil for 9 months and still have some symptoms albiet much milder than before. I am now sure that any SSRI's are not for me and am looking for alternative therapies. Also, I am going to see an endocrinologist and a cardiologist just to make sure I have no other problems. I would suggest not taking a drug to quit smoking-cold turkey is the best! I was perfectly normal before I started taking these drugs. This past year has been a living nightmare. I realized my experience is very intense compared to others who have taken Wellbutrin and people react differently to medications but I would have to say that had I continued taking it I would have died. I am 36 years old, have a wonderful family and a job I love. I do not believe I have an anxiety disorder! If anyone who reads this has had a similar experience, my suggestion is to SLOWLY get off it with help from your doctor and find alternative therapy, ie. biofeedback, nutrition, homeopathic, ect. Good luck to all of you!